Vin Scully to return for 64th season

The Dodgers got the jump on the usual end of season speculation that announced Sunday that Vin Scully would come back next season. That will be his 64th season with the team, dating back to 1950 in Brooklyn.

“The new ownership of the Dodgers has revitalized the city, the team, the fans and myself,” Scully said in a statement. “I am so convinced of their great purpose and leadership that I eagerly look forward to joining them in pursuit of the next Dodgers championship.” He also spoke to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times on Saturday for a story that advanced the official announcement.

Scully, if you don't know, calls all nine innings of the team's television broadcasts on PRIME TICKET and KCAL 9. The first three innings are also simulcast on AM 570 Fox Sports LA. He does not regular do games outside of the western division, though the dodgers travel next season to Yankee Stadium and there is speculation Scully might do those games. He grew up in New York and attended Fordham University.

“The Dodgers are ecstatic to have Vin back with the team in 2013,” Dodgers chairman and owner Mark Walter said in the team's release. “Vin is a treasure to the Dodgers, baseball and the city of Los Angeles and having him continuing his work in the broadcast booth next season means a great deal to all of us.”

“It was a treat to be able to listen to Chick Hearn through my years with the Lakers,” added Magic Johnson. “It’s been great to be able to listen to Vin work his magic in the broadcast booth since I came to Los Angeles in 1979. Generations of Angelenos have been blessed to have these Hall of Famers in their midst.”

Scully, who was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, has called three perfect games, 25 no-hitters, 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games. His memorable moment include Kirk Gibson’s pinch home run in Game 1 homer in the 1988 World Series, Hank Aaron’s record-setting 715th home run and Sandy Koufax’s four no-hitters.

Paul Haddad, the author of "High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania: A Fan's History of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Glory Years, 1977-1981," has written a post for LA Observed's Native Intelligence blog on Scully's five most memorable calls. Check it out.

Photo: Life magazine